Most relevant reviews

A Welcomed, Powerful Return

Posted 2 years ago

StygianNocturne

Elite Member

The Slipknot family experienced a considerable amount of hardship between the releases of All Hope Is Gone and this album, The Gray Chapter, with the death of the band's late bassist Paul Gray (#2) and the exit of renowned drummer Joey Jordison. Since Slipknot is more about being a collective whole as opposed to individual personalities, the loss of a part of a collective is a difficult thing to overcome, if even such a thing is possible, but thankfully Slipknot defied the odds. A long-time in the making, The Gray Chapter finally came to us in 2014 (no less than six years after All Hope Is Gone) and the band is arguably stronger than ever. While different Slipknot fans have different favorites, of course, I think the musical progression and sincerity of the group is undeniable. There's never been a "sell-out" record or an endless stream of releases that sound alike - each Slipknot album stands on its own two feet and has a unique sound within the construct of the band's easily identifiable sound. As such, The Gray Chapter is another chapter (no pun intended) in the band's career that doesn't quite sound like a past album although it's, you know, still quite obviously Slipknot. With that being said, however, seasoned fans will be happy to hear that a few of the tracks here really remind one of the unadulterated aggression featured on the band's first two albums; likewise, fans that appreciate the more "refined" approach of Vol. 3 and All Hope Is Gone will have much to salivate over as well.
It's difficult for me to pick highlights on this album because I like literally every track and have gone through different phases with them. When I first got the record I was naturally hit hard with tracks like Custer and The Negative One as well as the more accessible The Devil In I and Killpop (what a great song title, by the way). With more listens, however, the middle-part of the album really came alive, for instance, and I began noticing musical nuances that I didn't before, such as the melodic solo in Nomadic and the beautiful textures in Goodbye. In short, this is an album that will reward the listener's time and energy with renewed excitement and vigor because there's really a lot happening here musically and emotionally.
If you're familiar with Slipknot and enjoy their work, The Gray Chapter is a "no brainer" purchase. If you're not familiar with the band but are interested in their work, this is a good album to get because it features the various characteristics that make Slipknot who they are as well as adding some new musicals ideas that "old school" fans will certainly pick up on. Either way, The Gray Chapter is an excellent album independent of the catalog its a part of just as it's a quintessential piece of Slipknot's defined yet ever-growing legacy. Highly, highly recommended to anyone with an ear for heavy, sincere music!

I would recommend this to a friend

Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.

forestlaw

Verified Purchase

Member

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

3

Good, but not quite what it could have been

Posted 4 years ago

forestlaw

Verified Purchase

Member

Slipknot's latest album finds the band regrouping after the death of long-time bassist Paul Gray and the departure of percussionist Joey Jordison (by all accounts, the driving force behind the 'Knot's intense rhythm section). Touted as a combination of the more aggressive sound of s/t & Iowa with the maturity and advancements of Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses & All Hope Is Gone, .5: The Gray Chapter delivers to some extent by coming forcefully out of the gates on many tracks and the signature drumming that we've come to expect from these guys. However, while I'm glad to hear a bit more energy after the last album (which many argue featured a few too many songs that sounded like Stone Sour cast-offs), it seems as if they've taken up a step back from a musical and lyrical standpoint. The lyrics read like the diary of an angsty teenager, and the music doesn't offer any surprise the way the last albums did. Overall, all things considered, this is a good effort, but I guess we'll have to wait another 5 years or so before we can find out if the band is truly capable of delivering on the unfulfilled promise that it made for this album.

I would recommend this to a friend

Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.

JayYarbrough

Verified Purchase

Elite Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Best Slipknot Album Ever

Posted 4 years ago

JayYarbrough

Verified Purchase

Elite Member

I have been a Slipknot fan for a long time, hearing every album, unreleased tracks, live concerts, etc. This album from start to finish is a complete masterpiece. Tracks like"Sarcastrophe", "AOV", Skeptic", and "Custer" offer heavy hitting classic Slipknot fans that were die-hard from the early days. Songs like "The Devil In I", "Nomadic", and "The One That Kills The Least" are the more melodic songs, yet stick pack a good punch. The guitars and bass work is amazing, catchy and never dull. The drum and percussion are adapted well to all the moods and settings. The vocals may not be the most impressive of Slipknot's or Corey Taylor's career, but the work flawlessly and nothing in the lyrics or vocal choices are anything less of amazing. Definitely a must buy for any Slipknot fan, and other metal, hard-rock listeners. Perhaps not the best album for those being introduce to the band, but it's certainly worth the listen and the purchase.

I would recommend this to a friend

Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.

XVinny84X

Verified Purchase

Elite Member

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4

Slipknot you know is gone...

Posted 4 years ago

XVinny84X

Verified Purchase

Elite Member

But it's not all bad. I knew (as anyone most likely) going in that they were making different kind of album and it shows all the way through. Sure they have some heavier parts, but in grand scheme of things it feels like they calmed down a little and lowered their voices.
Instead of being heard for being loud and reckless, they are more deliberate on this album. Pace slows down to near stop at times, but picks up shortly after, to ensure we keep on moving and don't get lulled by false sense of safety.
Whole album is a tribute to dead band member and as such it is a perfect memento and send off. I couldn't have asked for better one myself.
I do love the old Slipknot and will foverer. New one not so much, but I get it and can appreciate they have all grown up. It might not strike a chord with everyone, so I recommend going on Itunes and listening to samples first.

I would recommend this to a friend

Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.

Keysymbol2

Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

Back to form

Posted 4 years ago

Keysymbol2

Member

I know this is a good cd because I let my wife listen to it and she though it was too heavy! The reason that is good is because she has become a big Stone Sour fan. she thought this would be mellowed down like those albums, but NOPE! Of course they have a couple slower tempo songs and they are amazing, but it's the heavy, thrashing metal that makes this cd so great. It is a perfect blend of "Iowa" and "Subliminal Verses". Just enough Subliminal Verses to keep the new fans and just enough Iowa to maintain the Maggots!

I would recommend this to a friend

Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.

CSS271

Verified Purchase

Elite Plus Member

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4

Slipknot

Posted 4 years ago

CSS271

Verified Purchase

Elite Plus Member

As expected, ‘.5: The Gray Chapter’ heavily references Gray and the emotions the band went through in the wake of his passing. Beginning on the album opening ‘XIX,’ frontman Corey Taylor references, “I don’t want to get back up, but it might as well be today.” The song itself builds in intensity and like other passages on the disc, the heaviness of the music often matches the depth of the emotion.

I would recommend this to a friend

Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.

chris5150

Verified Purchase

Member

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

5

This is Slipknot's best. BUY IT

Posted 3 years ago

chris5150

Verified Purchase

Member

Ive always enjoyed slipknot enough to follow them for the last decade. They were different and intriguing and fun to listen to. This album is obviously inspired by the death of bassist Paul Gray. From start to finish this is a gem. At first it was a typical Slipknot release. By the time I had listened to it about 3 or 4 times through I realized what a gem this really is! Buy it. Its incredible and catchy and heavy

I would recommend this to a friend

Sorry, there was a problem. Please try again later.

MIKEYM

Verified Purchase

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4

Solid album

Posted 4 years ago

MIKEYM

Verified Purchase

The Gray Chapter is on par with the rest of Slipknot's catalog. After hearing album previews in The Negative One and The Devil in I, I was expecting an album that rivaled Iowa. In the end it doesn't quite live up to that as the middle of the album fades after a strong opening. Overall I would place this above All Hope is Gone but slightly less satisfying than The Subliminal verses.